Inside the University 559 - Guard Pull to Sweep

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In preparation for competition, Gustavo Dias shows a guard pull to a quick sweep that has been successful for him. He first grabs his opponent's sleeve with both his grips and then sits down to pull guard. The most common reaction is for his opponent to walk backward, so Gustavo pulls himself in and hooks his feet behind the ankles. Now he simply pulls his feet in to sweep and get to the top position.

Inside the University 558 - Guard Retention with Your Eyes Closed

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Xande shows a nice drill you can use to practice guard retention. He lets his partner get the pants grip and try to pass using the toreando. Now with his eyes closed, Xande makes his frames on the arm and stays connected and spins with his opponent as he tries to pass.

Inside the University 557 - Defending the Toreando Pass

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Now Xande's opponent is attempting the toreando or bull fighter pass, so Xande's first line of defense is to make his frames on the shoulder and biceps. As his opponent keeps trying to go around, Xande stays connected with his frames and uses his bottom foot to keep turning his body with his opponent, never giving him the angle to pass.

Inside the University 556 - Preventing Mount and Replacing the Shield

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Xande's opponent is looking to get shoulder pressure and mount from the half guard, so first Xande makes sure to hook his leg and place his hand between his cheek and opponent's shoulder. He connects his elbow to his knee and works the crown of his head to the shoulder, keeping his opponent at bay and forcing him to make a move. When his opponent goes, Xande pushes away, places his shield and recovers guard.

Inside the University 555 - Creating Space with the Earthquake

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Sometimes when your opponent is dropping his weight on you, it can be very difficult to create space, so Xande suggests using the earthquake. He pushes off his outside foot to bridge his hips, and then pushes with his shoulder, and repeats so he is rocking back and forth and creating space to recover his guard. Also, it is key for him to keep his opponent's weight at his hips where he can generate more power.

Inside the University 554 - Using the Underhook to Open the Arm

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Showing how to use the underhook from the top position, Xande drops his weight on his opponent and drives his shoulder up to open the arm he is underhooking. The more weight and pressure he can keep from this position, the more difficulty his opponent will have trying to free his arm.

Inside the University 553 - Escrima Pass Defense

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Xande is on bottom and his opponent is trying to pass his half guard with the Escrima pass. First Xande blocks his opponent's free arm to keep him from getting head control, and his other arm makes a frame at the neck. Now he hips away a little bit and slides his bottom shoulder up, and repeats until his opponent is low on him. From here he has many options to place his shield, or even throw some attacks depending how his opponent reacts.

Inside the University 547 - Creating Opportunites

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Saulo explains that the cross collar choke is not easy to finish on an opponent equal to your level, but it is very effective to set up many other positions and create opportunities. When you go for the choke, your opponent must react, and depending on how he reacts, many possibilities will open up for you. The key is to keep attacking.

Inside the University 546 - Timing Your Grips

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Saulo points out the importance of properly timing when you make your second grip, and taking it with speed and force. As his opponent comes back the other way, Saulo turns, throwing his shoulder off the mat like a punch to grab the collar. If he goes without speed or force, it will easily be defended.

Inside the University 545 - Creating the Reaction to Set Up the Cross Collar Choke

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Saulo's typical setup for the cross collar choke begins with his cross collar grip, followed by a 45 degree hip escape as he pushes the collar away. Now his opponent reacts by coming back to him, just as Saulo wanted, so he immediately sets his second grip underneath his first. From here he pulls his opponent in, switches his hips to face the other side and flexes his wrists to finish the choke.

Inside the University 544 - Staying on Your Side

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One of the main points of focus while in the closed guard is to not be flattened out. This is why Saulo is always looking to get on his side and stay there. His collar grip arm will help him by keeping his opponent at a distance, but it's his shoulder that is doing the work. Also, it's important that his top leg is pinching down and keeping pressure on his opponent.

Inside the University 543 - Getting to Side Closed Guard

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After watching students practice, Saulo points out the difference between escaping your hips and moving to the side. When punching the collar grip, he swivels his hips so he gets to his opponent's side, staying connected. He is not escaping his hips and creating space.